Lion Links
Lion Links: 10/5/17

We have a very eventful Thursday going on here at The Mane Land, so let’s kick you off with your daily dose of Lion Links. The U.S. Men’s National Team takes over Orlando City Stadium tomorrow evening, The Pride are prepping for the playoffs, OCB is making its final push for the USL playoffs, and so much more, so lets just jump right into it!
Orlando Makes World Cup Potential Host City List
The United 2026 bid has announced the narrowed down list to 32 potential cities (from 41) that could host matches at the 2026 World Cup. Orlando has made the cut! The list includes four cities in Canada, three in Mexico and 25 cities in the United States. So, what now?
During the next stage of the bid process, the United Bid Committee will integrate the 32 potential host cities into the united bid strategy and vision, as well as work with local officials to finalize the hosting documents required by FIFA. Representatives from the 32 potential host cities will travel to Houston, Texas during the week of Nov. 13 for a working session with the United Bid Committee.
Being recognized now as a soccer city makes all of us here at The Mane Land very happy and proud.
Alexi Lalas Smells Controversy
As we reported earlier in the week, FC Dallas may have fielded an ineligible lineup against Orlando City over the weekend. It seems like others in the American soccer community have taken notice. Former USMNT defender, and current commentator for Fox, Alexei Lalas has pointed out that Major League Soccer needs to make a statement on it, and as Orlando City fans, we all hope the (correct) ruling comes quickly.
Seems like @FCDallas broke the rules and a 3-0 victory should be awarded to @OrlandoCitySC. Hey @MLS, can we get a ruling here? https://t.co/BYWpenBEeJ
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) October 4, 2017
Alex Morgan Apologizes
As you may have heard, Orlando Pride star Alex Morgan got in trouble with the mouse recently, as her, along with Orlando City players Giles Barnes and Donny Toia, were kicked out of Epcot, due to being loud, belligerent, and impaired, according to a witness account. I guess that is the potential that you can find when drinking around the world. Morgan has since apologized for her actions, and we think she definitely deserves a pass for this one.
I want to apologize for my actions that occurred over the weekend. I will learn from this make sure it does not happen again. #liveandlearn
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) October 4, 2017
Pride Give Tom Sermanni a Contract Extension
Tom Sermanni has just signed a new contract extension to extend his stay with the Orlando Pride. Sermanni put pen to paper yesterday, and though the terms of his extension weren’t made public by the club, we can say we are definitely excited to see him back at the helm for years to come.
Pride Finalists for NWSL Season Awards
The Orlando Pride’s rise to third place in the NWSL and the club’s first playoff berth has people around the league taking notice. The NWSL award finalists were announced yesterday and Pride names are all over the place. Tom Sermanni is a finalist for NWSL Coach of the Year. Marta is a league MVP finalist. Both Steph Catley and Ali Krieger are in the running for Defender of the Year. Dan Lauletta over at The Equalizer made his picks already, including some love for the Pride.
Congratulations to all involved. Fan voting is now open. You know what to do.
Marta Named NWSL Player of the Month
Brazilian superstar Marta continues to rack up the accolades. In addition to becoming a league MVP finalist, she became the second Pride player ever to win an NWSL Player of the Month Award. Following Alex Morgan taking home the honor for August, Marta was given the nod for September. Marta scored goals in both Pride victories in September and helped lead Orlando to a 2-0-2 mark in the final month of the regular season.
Orlando to Become the Next Fortress for the USMNT?
At such a vital stage in World Cup qualifying, the USMNT needs any boost it can get, Arielle Castillo from MLSsoccer.com seems to think that Orlando City Stadium can become the next fortress to write itself into the mythology of U.S. Soccer. A win on Friday increases the likelihood of the USMNT’s qualification hopes. The rocking environment echoing from “The Wall” is likely to bring something new to the table, and hopefully bring an incredibly important three points the USMNT’s way.
Free Kicks
- Well, hooligans are everywhere, but it seems as though this one got caught. The Atlanta United fan that threw his beer at Referee Armando Villarreal was arrested and charged.
- Some hometown boys are representing the Stars & Stripes here in Orlando tomorrow. Dax McCarty of Winter Park and Graham Zusi of Longwood are both very excited to represent their country in their hometown.
- Azteca and Wembley often come to mind when you think of a country that plays in a national stadium. Forbes has argued that maybe it’s time the United States follows suit.
- Bruce Arena may be looking for extra help for the USMNT ahead of these qualifiers, as he’s called in former coach Bob Bradley for assistance.
- Amid all the protests in the NFL surrounding the National Anthem, Bruce Arena said he doesn’t expect any players to kneel on Friday.
- The 2017 USL Cup will be televised on ESPNU. Mike Watts, Kate Markgraf, and Julie Stewart-Binks will be your broadcasters.
- Speaking of the USL, the league is ensuring it will be fully compliant with Division 2 status requirements on its final application.
- And finally, in the most important piece of journalism of the day, if you’ve ever wondered what character from The Simpsons your favorite Premier League club would be, you might want to check out this link. My favorite club got Bart Simpson.
Well, I think that just about covers it all. Take some time. Digest it — perhaps with a bowl of cereal or a hot cup of coffee. We have a hell of a weekend ahead of us in regards to the Pride, OCB, and the USMNT. So buckle up, there is sure to be tons of analysis coming your way throughout the weekend from The Mane Land.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/1/25
Barbra Banda’s continued importance, Americans in midweek action, USWNT announces friendly, and more.

Good morning everyone! It was a great weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams as Orlando City and the Orlando Pride both won, meaning that we got treated to a six-point weekend (OCB was off). As always we have plenty to talk through this morning, so let’s get into today’s links.
Barbra Banda Keeps Rolling in 2025
After a wildly successful debut season with the Orlando Pride in 2024, Barbra Banda has showed no signs of slowing down this year. A brace in the season opener meant that she picked up right where she left off last year, and the team has continued to be successful too. The Pride have made it three wins from three to start the 2025 season, and while Banda hasn’t scored since the opener, her blend of pace, power, dribbling, passing, and movement have continuously helped open things up for her teammates, and she drew a penalty that led to the Pride’s game-winning goal Saturday. She isn’t the Pride’s only offensive weapon, but the team clicks into a different gear when she’s at her best.
Americans in Midweek Action
There are a number of Americans who will be playing in games during the working week, and there are some very important clashes on hand. Things get going later today when Antonee Robinson and Fulham visit Arsenal in Premier League play as the Cottagers are in hot pursuit of a coveted European place. Wednesday has Chris Richards, Matt Turner and Crystal Palace facing Southampton, while Tyler Adams and Bournemouth take on Manchester City. Also on Wednesday, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will face Inter Milan in a Coppa Italia semifinal. Things finish up on Friday as Aidan Morris and Middlesborough travel to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.
USWNT Announces Canada Match
The United States Women’s National Team has announced another friendly taking place this summer, as the team will face Canada on July 2 in Washington, D.C. The match will be the third that the USWNT will play during the window, following a pair of friendlies against Ireland in late June. The neighboring countries will meet at Audi Field with the match designated as the Allstate Continental Clasico, with this being the first time that the match will feature the USWNT. The U.S. faced Canada twice in 2024, with both matches ending in 2-2 draws and the USWNT emerging victorious in shootouts.
Concacaf Champions Cup Preview
The Concacaf Champions Cup returns this week, with the first legs of the four quarterfinal matches set to be played today and tomorrow. Things get started tonight with what should be an exciting match between Club America and Cruz Azul, with the crosstown rivals two of the winningest teams in the competition. Cruz Azul’s Angel Sepulveda leads the CCC’s golden boot race with four tallies. The late game sees the LA Galaxy taking on Tigres as the Galaxy will try to distract themselves from a difficult start to their MLS Cup title defense. Wednesday’s slate has the Vancouver Whitecaps taking on Pumas UNAM in Canada in what will be the second-ever meeting between the two teams. The late game will be an all-MLS affair as LAFC hosts Inter Miami in the first meeting between the two sides in CCC play.
Sporting Kansas City Fires Peter Vermes
The longest-tenured coach in Major League Soccer is out of work, as Sporting Kansas City announced the firing of Peter Vermes on Monday morning. It’s an end of an era in Kansas City, as Vermes was the head coach since 2009, back when the team was still called the Kansas City Wizards, and he had been named the club’s technical director three years earlier in 2006. He guided the team to an MLS Cup win in 2013; claimed U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015, and 2017; and helped the team be consistently competitive for a majority of his tenure. Despite all of that, SKC missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons and was mired in the midst of a 13-game winless streak in all competitions that stretched back to Sept. 18 of last year. After being an assistant on Vermes’ staff, Kerry Zavagnin will take over as interim head coach.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City jumped eight places to no. 11 in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
- Meanwhile the Orlando Pride continue to hold sway at no. 1 in ESPN.com’s NWSL power rankings.
- Germany great Thomas Muller has reportedly received offers from MLS teams.
- Tierna Davidson will not play in the USWNT’s upcoming games against Brazil due to a knee injury, with Gisele Thompson replacing her on the roster.
That’s all I have for this morning. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/31/25
Lions and Pride win, NWSL weekend recap, FA Cup quarterfinals, and more.

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been very busy at work but will attend the Chicago Cubs’ home opener at Wrigley Field later this week. Our Lions and Pride won while OCB was off this weekend. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Orlando City Beats LA Galaxy on the Road
On Saturday, Orlando City fought back from a 1-0 deficit, scoring two goals in the second half to defeat the LA Galaxy 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy struck early in the first half to jump on top. In the second half, the Lions were awarded a penalty kick after Eduard Atuesta was taken down in the box, and Martin Ojeda buried the spot kick to tie the match at one. In the 90th minute, Luis Muriel scored the winning goal on a long-range free kick to complete the comeback. Orlando is on a three-match unbeaten streak and beat the LA Galaxy for the third consecutive time. Orlando City’s next match will be on the road Saturday against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.
Orlando Pride Defeat San Diego Wave at Home
The Orlando Pride defeated the San Diego Wave 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Inter&Co Stadium and extended their win streak to three matches to start the season. After a scoreless first half, Haley McCutcheon scored to give Orlando the lead. The Wave equalized before Marta converted a penalty kick goal to seal the win for Orlando. The Pride are off to a great start this season, outscoring their opponents 10-1, and are atop the NWSL standings ahead of the Kansas City Current on goal difference. The Pride are off this weekend due to the international break but will be on the road in their next match against the Seattle Reign on April 12.
NWSL Weekend Recap
The National Women’s Soccer League’s third week of matches is in the books. On Friday, the Houston Dash and NJ/NY Gotham FC match ended in a scoreless draw. The Washington Spirit defeated Bay FC 2-0, with Ashley Hatch scoring both goals. On Saturday, the Kansas City Current defeated the Utah Royals 3-0, while the Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage match ended in a scoreless draw. On Sunday, the Chicago Stars fell 1-0 to Racing Louisville and remain winless, while Angel City FC edged the Seattle Reign 2-1 to secure its first win of the season.
FA Cup Quarterfinals Recap
The FA Cup quarterfinals wrapped up with thrilling drama as four clubs booked a spot in the semifinals. Crystal Palace cruised to a 3-0 victory against Fulham, while Nottingham Forest edged Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw to advance. Aston Villa dominated Preston North End as Marcus Rashford scored twice to seal a 3-0 win, while Manchester City edged Bournemouth 2-1. The FA Cup semifinals are set for April 26 as Crystal Palace faces Aston Villa while Nottingham Forest will take on Manchester City.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City GM Luiz Muzzi provided some insight in an ESPN.com article on player transfers and highlighted the importance of building connections with different clubs to facilitate transfers.
- Former Lion Benji Michel is going to play for HJK Helsinki.
- Antoine Griezmann is reportedly staying at Atletico Madrid next season despite being linked to a potential move to join LAFC in MLS.
- RB Leipzig has fired manager Marco Rose, as the club is sixth in the Bundesliga table and has appointed Zsolt Low as interim manager until the end of the season.
- David Blitzer is reportedly close to selling his majority ownership stake in the Utah Royals and Real Salt Lake after owning both clubs since 2022.
- Sports Illustrated released its list of MLS Coaches on the hot seat after poor starts, mentioning Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes, the LA Galaxy’s Greg Vanney, and the New England Revolution’s Caleb Porter.
- FIFA is reportedly considering having a one-game playoff between LAFC and Club America, with the winner replacing Club Leon in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
- That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/28/25
Orlando Pride prepare for the San Diego Wave, NWSL weekend matches, USMNT roster predictions, and more.

We made it to Friday! Celebrate however you see fit, whether that’s an indulgent breakfast or just your favorite cup of coffee. This week has flown by a bit for me and I’m looking forward to a weekend filled with soccer. I’ll be spending the next few days working, reading a new book or two, and working out the kinks of making a frozen coconut mojito. My blender hates me. Let’s get to today’s links!
Orlando Pride Prepare for the San Diego Wave
The Orlando Pride will look to extend their 2025 win streak to three games — and their overall win streak to seven — on Saturday when they host the San Diego Wave at noon. Orlando has looked the part of a defending champion so far, leading the league with eight goals without conceding a single one in two games. The Pride will take on a revamped San Diego team that is unbeaten under Head Coach Jonas Eidevall. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke about how Orlando will need to set the tone early on at home against the Wave and keep up the momentum.
NWSL Provides Entertaining Slate of Weekend Matches
While it’s far too early to think about the NWSL Shield race, it never hurts to check out how the Pride’s competitors are doing while enjoying some great soccer. Tonight features a pair of matches at the same time, with the Washington Spirit hosting Bay FC and the Houston Dash playing on the road against NJ/NY Gotham FC. Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga will have a chance to tie her own record of scoring in eight straight games when her team plays the Utah Royals on Saturday. On Sunday, we’ll get to see if the Seattle Reign’s solid start continues against an unbeaten Angel City FC team searching for its first win of the season.
USMNT Roster Predictions for Concacaf Gold Cup
The pressure is on United States Men’s National Team Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino to turn things around after a rough showing in the final four of the Concacaf Nations League. This summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup will be an opportunity for the USMNT to impress in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, and Pro Soccer Wire dove into how the roster could look for the tournament. Injuries to Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun complicate things up top, but we could see Brenden Aaronson or Alex Zendejas could return to the attack. The Gold Cup will likely also determine which goalkeeper between Matt Turner, Zack Steffen, and Patrick Schulte emerges as the true starter. Players like Sergino Dest, Malik Tillman, and Johnny Cardoso are other notable names to keep an eye out for leading into the tournament.
FA Cup Quarterfinals Kick Off This Weekend
Only eight teams remain in the FA Cup and the action returns with enticing quarterfinal matchups. Preston North End is the only team outside of the English Premier League still fighting, but Manchester City is the only traditional giant left in the field as well. City will face off against a Bournemouth side that beat it 2-1 back in November, while Preston will have to get past Aston Villa, which has only won two of its last eight games. Nottingham Forest forward Chris Wood’s injury adds an obstacle to overcome when the team travels to play Brighton and Hove Albion. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace gets star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta back from injury for its clash with Fulham.
Free Kicks
- Time is running out for Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and Peru to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after the latest CONMEBOL matches. Peru did well to beat Bolivia, but lost a crucial match against Venezuela.
- Angel City FC signed Brazilian midfielder Maiara Niehues from Sporting CP on a three-year contract. The 20-year-old recorded 18 goals and three assists in 57 matches across all competitions with the Portuguese club.
- MLS announced an expanded partnership with the media company Footballco to increase coverage of the league and its players. Hopefully this partnership results in a spotlight being put on smaller market teams and lesser known stars in the league, but only time will tell.
- Denver’s NWSL team announced its plans for a new training center and temporary stadium that will seat 12,000 fans for 2026 and 2027.
- The English Premier League’s transfer window will temporarily open on June 1 and close on June 10 to allow clubs participating in the Club World Cup to sign players before the tournament.
- After losing 2-0 in the first leg, Chelsea beat Manchester City 3-0 to advance to the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals. The semifinals will have Chelsea take on Barcelona and Arsenal square off against Lyon.
- UEFA is investigating Real Madrid players Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger, and Dani Ceballos for indecent conduct in the Champions League. If a ban is handed out, that player would miss the first leg of Madrid’s quarterfinal matchup with Arsenal.
- Barcelona beat Osasuna 3-0 to move three points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, but forward Dani Olmo sustained a leg injury that could see him miss time.
That’s all I have for you for today’s links. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend. Go Orlando!
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